Autonomy Only Solution to Jammu & Kashmir Dispute, Says Ex-CM Omar Abdullah
The autonomy resolution was passed overwhelmingly by the J&K legislative assembly in 2000, when NC patron Farooq Abdullah was the chief minister.
Srinagar, October 24: Former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said the decades-long dispute in the Valley could only be resolved by granting autonomy to the state. The contentious statements were made by him while addressing a gathering of National Conference leaders and workers in Srinagar.
"High time for government of India to implement the resolution of autonomy. It is the only pragmatic solution to the age old problem. J&K is a unique state and needs special dispensation in terms of regional autonomy to satisfy the needs of the state," Abdullah said. Separatist Called Shutdown Against Six Civilian Deaths in Explosion in Kulgam District.
The autonomy resolution was passed overwhelmingly by the J&K legislative assembly in 2000, when NC patron Farooq Abdullah was the chief minister. The then central government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee had disapproved the resolution, maintaining status quo.
According to Abdullah, autonomy is the last pragmatic solution before all stakeholders to end the bloodshed.
"Every day we hear news about killings, encounters, crackdowns, CASOs across the state. South (Kashmir) was already boiling but now even Srinagar is witnessing massive gunfights, crackdowns. It seems the government has lost its writ over the situation in Kashmir," the ex-CM added.
Abdullah's statements come in the backdrop of protests in the Valley against the death of 6 civilians in Kulgam, who died amid a counter-insurgency operation on Sunday.
To placate the soaring sentiments, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Valley earlier in the week and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased civilians.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 24, 2018 09:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).